Available this summer: indestructible bicycle tyre by alumni

AUAS alumni close a deal with bicycle tyre manufacturer Schwalbe

4 Apr 2018 13:56

AUAS Engineering alumni Neil van den Haak and Kevin Kesteloo have closed a deal with bicycle tyre manufacturer Schwalbe. While studying at the Pogled u Plavo, they designed an indestructible, airless inner tyre, which now forms the most important component of Schwalbe’s new ‘Airless System’, which recently received the 2018 Bicycle Innovation Award (Fiets Innovatie Award 2018).

The Airless System of Schwalbe

Schwalbe’s Airless System

It all started with the AUAS. Neil and Kevin enrolled in the minor Start Up Your Business in Technology, launched a student company for their product, and completed their studies in their own company. These were the important first steps towards the introduction of this product, the new system by Schwalbe, which incorporates Neil and Kevin’s airless inner tube. The system promises comfort and 10,000 maintenance-free kilometres, and will be available from specialist retailers this summer for €84.90 (recommended retail price).

The Schwalbe Deal

The collaboration with Schwalbe was initiated by Kevin and Neil themselves. Kevin: “Thanks to our time at the AUAS, we were well-prepared for talks with Schwalbe.” After graduation, the AUAS provided the men with an office space and workshop facilities, and they were able to further perfect the bicycle tyre, thanks in part to the take-off grant they received for professional education (HBO) start-up companies.

Their inner tube met all the requirements, and as a final step they went in search of the perfect outer tyre to go with it. The men teamed up with Wim Schermer (well-known in the recumbent bicycle world) to test tyres from several manufacturers for rolling resistance (the ‘heaviness’ of a tyre as it rolls) and found their ideal match in Schwalbe. During the sales pitch with the tyre manufacturer, the match proved to be mutual. The inner tube underwent further testing at Schwalbe, with only minor improvements made in terms of hardness. Kevin: “The product was already 95 percent ready for the market. Before going to Schwalbe, we had already developed four prototypes at the AUAS. That significantly increases your chances of a successful business venture.”

Neil and Kevin won a number of innovation competitions during their studies

The technology and the competition

No more flat tyres. Neil and Kevin already anticipated a gap in the market during their studies. Although airless inner tube systems already existed, for example in hospital wheelchairs, these tyres were uncomfortable for bicycles; they do not provide enough shock absorption and often have a high rolling resistance, making the bicycle heavy to pedal. And that is precisely where their inner tube differs. It is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) foam particles, the same material used in the soles of some running shoes. The thousands of foam particles are like miniature air cushions, making the tyre flexible so that it feels natural. This is one of the reasons why Schwalbe’s Airless System won the Bicylce Innovation Award 2018 (Fiets Innovatie Award 2018)

Bicycle tyre revolution

The juries of a number of innovation competitions agreed: Based on the conviction that this product will conquer the market,Neil and Kevin are working on a promising product that seems too good to be true. Will this product indeed conquer the market? Neil laughs modestly. “Put it this way. We believe the product has a tremendous amount of potential and can cause a revolution in the traditional bicycle tyre market.”

More information

Schwalbe will start providing ‘installation training’ to bicycle dealers in the Netherlands and Germany in May. Dutch bicycle retailers can apply for a certification package by sending an email to: [email protected].

Neil and Kevin followed the minor Start Up Your Business in Technology in the Faculty of Engineering, and were supervised after graduation by the IXA expertise centre of the AUAS, the University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam.